She-Wolf Prophecies Book 1

Meeting the Elders

MEANWHILE AT THE MEETING OF THE ELDERS

SOMEWHERE DEEP IN CEDAR BROOK FOREST, DEEP INSIDE A CAVE HIDDEN BY WITCHCRAFT…

NARRATOR

“I call this meeting into order. What’s on today’s agenda.” Elder Galician of the Cedar Brook Clan of Vampires Asked. Alpha Gage Brier of the Silver Blood Pack stood from his seat and cleared his throat, “Council Recognizes Alpha Brier of the Silver Blood Pack.” Elder Galician announced. “Brother and Sister of the Cedar Brook Community I come baring some frightening but exciting news.” He began. “Everyone here knows about the prophecy that could change this evil world as we know it about the evil that rules our kind. A prophecy that says two werewolves will seal their bond before their time. That her wolf will awaken early and The Goddess Selene will advise her on what she must do so that she and her mate will become not only Alphas but will rule over us all with love fairness and honesty. “He scanned the round table with his golden eyes to make sure every last creature was paying attention to him. “That prophecy ladies and gentlemen are coming true as we speak.” He explained as eyes grew wide and gas was heard throughout the hollow cave. “How do you know this?” head of the water Fae in Cedar Brook snapped while worry washed over her face. “Because the male in the prophecy is my son, and the female is my Betas daughter. I saw their mating bond call them together firsthand. She is only 17 and her wolf woke as soon as she saw her mate. My son has been away for years, if not this most likely would have happened sooner.” Alpha Brier advised the Elders.

“That is not everything.” He began. “Two nights ago, they were chased down, shot at, and almost killed. My son was able to take one of the men prisoner. Luckily the girl only received a tranquilizer on her thigh, but my suspicion tells me that The Council already knows of the prophecy and that it has begun and how they are trying to stop it as well as taking the girl to use her powers.” He finished and nodded to Elder Galician. “How would they know before we even know?” Elder Aeron king of the Cedar Brook elves asked?” Alpha Brier started but was interrupted, “They have some of the strongest witches in the world working for them. They know everything. We can put wards up every day but if the children ventured out of the protected area they would have been alerted immediately of the power.” Eliza the white witch announced. “Luckily we have Sister Helene your Betas wife.” She motioned toward Alpha Brier. “And the mother of the girl.” He notified her causing her mouth to fall open. She stood there for a moment and then said, “Wow what power she must have.” With a smile on her face.

Elder Galician stood from the table on his wobbly legs. “We shall convene until tomorrow night. I know it's risky meeting two nights in a row but I’m sure the witches and warlocks can put up extra wards for us. We must meet the prophesized couple and come up with a plan to keep us and more importantly this new couple safe and alive until it’s completed. “ he hit his gavel on the table and everyone dispersed.

THE NEXT NIGHT

I stood under the hot stream of water as it cascaded over my shoulders helping to dull the ache in the tense muscle in my neck and back. Ever since Greyson and I were attacked I couldn’t seem to get a peaceful night's rest and my body was always on high alert and in fight or flight mode. I should be getting ready to travel or to go college but instead, I was fearing for the life of my mate, my family, and of myself. I finally turned the water off and stepped out to dry off. In no mood to dress up, I blow-dried my hair, applied mascara and lip gloss, and slipped on jeans, an oversized light purple sweater that slipped off one shoulder, and my white air force ones. I gave myself a once over in the mirror and went in search of Greyson.

Greyson and I hadn’t left his house since we were attacked. My parents wanted me here when there were warriors from our pack present and on guard at all times. I had insisted the Alpha place a patrol on my house as well. I didn’t know to what lengths these people would go to, get to me and I wouldn’t have my family suffer for it. I came to the Alpha office door and started to knock but hesitated. I could hear Greyson on the other side speaking to his father. “How do you know that this is The Council?” he asked worry evident in his voice. “ “It has the council written all over it son, and they would do anything to have this prophecy stopped because its completion means either death or imprisonment for them.” The Alpha explained. I stood there froze. If this was The Council after us then things were a lot worse than I thought they were. I finally knocked. “Come in!” The Alpha yelled from the other side of the door. Greyson was sitting in front of his father's desk, I gave him a half-hearted smile, “I’m ready.” I breathed. “You look beautiful as always.” Greyson took my hand and pulled me down in his lap. “We both know that’s not so but I appreciate your kind gesture.” I teased. The Alpha's cell phone rang. “Alright, we’ll be right out.” He placed his phone back in his pocket and stood from his desk. “Your parents are here. Your mother is staying with Grace while we go to the meeting and your father is outside waiting for us at my jeep.” He explained.

After arriving at the edge of a tree line we were met by three warriors with 3 dirt bikes. They took the jeep back and we jumped on the bikes. My father on one, the Alpha on the other, and Greyson and I on the third one. We swerved through trees and around boulders. Luckily, we had our wolves' vision because it was completely dark in the woods and the Alpha had not wanted us to use our headlights. The community elders had always gone to great lengths to conceal their meeting place. Our community didn’t follow the laws set forth by the community. For instance, one of their laws stated that no 2 species could mate and bare children. My mother and father were perfect examples of why this law wasn’t practical. They were picked for each other by the rye Goddess herself but according to the council, they couldn’t be together because my mother was a werewitch. That’s when the realization hit me. If The Council knew about this prophecy no doubt had they done their homework on Greyson and me, meaning that if they knew about me they also knew about my parents. Chills ran down my back and the overwhelming fear for my parents’ lives ran through my body like I was hit by lightning. The Council didn’t put you in jail or hold trials when you disobeyed their orders, they punished you to the highest extent which was death. They were evil men who fed off of Power and pain.

Deep in thought and worry for my parents, I was jerked out of my thoughts when the bikes came to a stop. I looked around at my surrounding. We had stopped in front of the face of a cliff. We were surrounded by dense forest and my wolf senses were on high alert. I watched in amazement as the Alpha pulled back a curtain of vines or rather what appeared to be vines growing up the side of the mountain. He pressed a rock and a door appeared in from of us. I watched as it slid to the side showing the entrance to the cave. We walked the bikes inside making sure to cover our tracks for the last half mile so we couldn’t be followed. As we entered the cave the door slid shut behind us and the pathway lit up from torches on the wall. No doubt the witches and warlocks had heavily warded the place along with creating an illusion hiding the entrance. I sense of pride filled me at the wonders of my ancestors and what our magic could do. I deeply yearned to get in touch with my witch side and for my mother to know who her ancestor was.

After we walked for a few minutes, we came to a huge opening in the cave. I looked around in complete awe. The ceiling of the cave was covered in parking stones that made it look like the night sky littered with stars. “Wow!” I gasped as I looked up and around at my surroundings. Carvings could be seen on the cave walls from centuries ago. I traced the wards with my fingertips. In the center of the opening was a huge circular stone table with chairs that were made from large vines fashioned together in a beautiful pattern. We were the first to arrive at the meeting g and I was grateful for that so that I was able to take a moment to compose myself before I was gawked at like I was an albino mountain lion. Arms wrapped around my waist making my wolf purr in excitement. “Relax. Everything is going to work out. I know you have been worried for your family and myself.” Greyson whispered in my ear. “Things have been set in place to protect your parents and we are going to make a plan tonight to get us through this.” He explained. I turned around in his arms so that I was facing him. I pressed my lips to his and my body instantly relaxed with his touch. My body tingled as our tongues intertwined. Someone clearing their voice broke us apart and my wolf pouted like a child. “Sorry kids but The Elders are headed toward us as we speak.” The Alpha smiled as he knew how the mating pull could cause you to lose control when it came to physical contact with your mate. After over 50 years together he and Luna still were very much all over each other ninety-nine percent of the time.

Greyson and I took a seat beside The Alpha and my father who appeared to be just as nervous as we were. He looked my way and I smiled at him hoping to relax him at least a little. No doubt he was worried for me as his daughter not to mention my mother who was also a product of an inner species relationship and in The Council's eyes an abomination. I looked to the cave entrance as an elderly man along with a stunningly beautiful couple entered the cave. I sniffed the air and could smell absolutely nothing but the dampness of the cave and course werewolf. Meaning that these three had to be vampires. It was confirmed by their undeniable perfectness in every way and their bright golden eyes. The vampires in our community made it a point not to feed on humans but animals. Vampires who fed on animals lost their bright red eyes and they were replaced with a golden brown color. Vampires who seen fit to use a human being as a meal still adorned the red eyes like the monsters they were. There was no benefit that human blood held over animals other than taste, so to take a life just because you can, was gross to me and I was proud to have the clan we did in our community who thought the same as I on the subject.

The elderly man an obvious centuries-old vampire made his way over to us followed by the other two. He had stringy cotton-white hair, wrinkled skin, and a hunchback that was disguised with the lack of cloak he wore on his back. He held out his hand to me and I offered mine in return. His skin felt cold and like hard marble. He bent his head kissing the top of my hand making me smile. “It is truly an honor my child.” His voice shook matching that of his features, and although this man looked weak, I could sense the power that radiated around him. “The honor is all mine Elder Galician.” I bowed my head as a sign of respect. “Please, my friends call me Felix.” He patted my hand which he still held and smiled at me. I couldn’t help but like this man and smiled back. He released my hand and walked to his chair at the head of the table steadying himself on his black and silver cane. The two other vampires approached me both with perfect smiles on their faces. Their teeth were a bright white with a small point where their fangs would elongate when they fed. The woman came up to me first. She was stunning and could pass for a New York fashion week runway model. She had long silky golden blonde hair, high cheekbones, and big golden eyes, and her skin seemed to have a natural highlight to it. She took my hand in hers. “It is so lovely to meet you, Gabriella. My name is Alexandria.” She kissed the top of my hand and I smiled at her. “It's my honor.” I smiled back at her. She joined Elder Galician, or rather Felix, and sat next to him at the table. The man behind her introduced himself as Gabriel. I knew them both to be the leaders of the vampire clan in Cedar Brook. He could have been Alexandria’s twin with his golden hair, and eyes. He had a prominent jaw and a perfect cupid bow on his top lip.

I took my seat once more. By the time the meeting started Greyson and I had been introduced to 50 leaders of various species. The last to meet was one I anticipated the most, Eliza the High Priestess. She was beautiful and reminded me a lot of my mother. She looked at me with love in her eyes. “Sister, it is so nice to finally meet you. Your mother has told me so much about you Gabriella.” She had a sing-song voice that matched her face. Her bright green eyes stood out among her long lashes and freckled nose and cheeks. She had creamy ebony skin; thick brown curly hair that had been punned to the tip of my head. I had known my mom had trained with the witches after being found by my father but I didn’t know it was the High Priestess. “I’ve wanted to meet you for so long. All of you.” I admitted as I fan girl the High Priestess. She giggled, “Well bow that you have you are welcome at our coven as a member of our family. All witches and warlocks are our sisters and our brothers.” She advised. I nodded in understanding and thanked her. She took the seat beside me and her husband High Priest Harris sat beside her.

Before long Elder Galician pounded his gavel upon the table. “This meeting is called to order. Today our business is to come up with a safety plan and plan of action for keeping these two wonderful children as well as their families safe until the prophecy is fulfilled.” He announced in a much stronger voice than he had used with me. “Should we expect to see The Council in Cedar Grove?” Ash Fire Fairy Nin asked. “Honestly I wouldn’t put anything by them but I suspect they’ll stand back and have others do their dirty work,” Alpha spoke up. “We have put into place wards that will protect all of our citizens against and dark magic they try to use,” Eliza spoke up. “We also have increased our patrol and our snipers in a five-mile radius on all sides of our community. Boone will get by my warriors.” Elf King Elrond announced. “As I have as well increased patrol and the number of warriors in the forest and the town,” Alpha told them. My father stood up from the table, “May I have the floor.” He asked. It wasn’t customary for a Beta to attend these meetings but since he was my father he had come today. Elder Galician nodded, “Elders recognize Beta Zander Baker Father of the chosen girl.” He announced. “I would like to suggest after much discussion by my wife and myself, as well our Alpha and Luna as this pertains to Greyson as well, that the children stay among the witches and warlocks until such time it is deemed safe for them to return home. My wife will join them and I will join my Alpha in hunting for a solution.” He finished and took his seat. I was stunned. I was excited at the prospect of stay I g among the witches but I also didn’t want to separate my mother and father. A wolf separated from his mate was weaker and not as smart. “High Priestess what do you think of this proposal.” Elder Galician asks. “I’ve already spoken to Helena and they are welcome to our coven anytime and for however long they need.” She explained. “Does anyone else have any suggestions? He asked. I stood from the table. “ I know my father is beta to Alpha Brier but separating himself and my mother only puts himself and others in danger.” I couldn’t look at my father but I wanted him with us. “She is right Zander you shall be appointed protection for your family as well as my son and you shall take two other warriors with you.” The Alpha ordered. My father nodded in acknowledgment. I hoped he wasn’t upset with me. “We shall meet here every week. We meet on the day following the last day we meet. Such as today Friday so the next day we will meet on Saturday so that our movements aren’t predictable.” Elder Galician announced. “Meeting Adjourned.”